Man accused of sexually assaulting woman in park, girl 2 days before

A 29-year-old Corona man was charged with several felony counts this week after police arrested him on suspicion of sexually battering a woman and a girl in separate incidents in January, according to authorities and court records.

Miguel Vazquez, who police say is a registered sex offender with prior convictions for sexual battery and other crimes, was arrested by Corona police Sunday, Sgt. Robert Montanez said.

The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday charged Vazquez with two counts of sexual battery and one count each of unlawful bodily injury or sexual penetration by means of force, sexual penetration with bodily injury on a minor over age 14, robbery, and preventing or dissuading a witness, according to court records.

Police were called to Mountain Gate Park, at 3100 S. Main St. in Corona, where a woman told them a man had sexually battered her there and stolen her cellphone, Montanez said.

The description of the attacker was similar to that of one in another sexual battery that occurred two days prior in the 1100 block of Magnolia Avenue in Corona, the sergeant said.

Officers, aided by a Riverside Police Department helicopter, found the suspect in the area of Ford and Filbert streets, Montanez said. Detectives discovered evidence in the suspect’s vehicle and his home linking him to the crimes, authorities said, but police did not disclose what was found.

Police said Vazquez’s criminal history includes convictions for domestic violence, statutory rape, stalking and criminal threats.

He had most recently been sentenced to one year of probation after a conviction for sexual battery last year, Montanez said.

Police asked anyone with information about the suspect that could help their case to contact Detective Wade Arens at 951-817-5767.